Over the summer, Rockbridge County High School hired four new teachers to join Rockbridge County High School.
Gabriella Richards is a first year biology teacher. Richards has her bachelors in biology and her masters in education, she studied at Radford University. “I spent years doing local aquatic ecology research on water quality and macroinvertebrates. I have traveled to the Arctic circle to do environmental DNA research in the arctic ocean off the coast of alaska.” Said Richard, “I decided to work at RCHS, was when I was in middle school, I had a science teacher that help me overcome some challenges in her class and helped me fall back in love with learning, I want to pass my love for science to others.” said Richards
Heather Higgins is the new nurse aid teacher after Mrs Wright retired at the end of last year. Higgins went to Florida for High School, and then received her bachelors and masters degree at Radford University. Higgins’ background is in nursing but she has always loved teaching. This is her first year teaching in a classroom setting. “ I decided to work at RCHS because my first passion was to be an educator. I am able to teach young people how to take care of elderly patients. how rewarding it is to make a difference in someone’s life with just the smallest of gestures.” Said Higgins
Kendall Ortiz is originally from Seattle Washington, she moved to Provo Utah for college. Due to her husband getting an out of state job caused Ortiz to move to Virginia this summer. “I love teaching high school so I knew that I wanted to continue teaching in a high school when we moved here. Eventually, I would like to teach AP Calculus and knew that RCHS has courses for AP Calc. I knew RCHS would lead me to achieve some of my long term goals.” said Ortiz.
James Slagle is a 2016 Rockbridge County High School graduate. Slagle studied Philosophy at Baylor University. “ I have been away for about 15 years, and in that time a lot has changed. Now that I am back, I’d like to give back to the community that gave so much to me in my youth.” said Slagle.
Bridget Ramsey was working at the front desk of the office, but she was recently offered a new position doing the daily attendance. “I liked my job in the front office but now I can interact with parents and students more,” said Ramsey. “My favorite part of this job is being able to help the students get their attendance under control and interacting with students more.” Said Ramsey
Jessica Hamilton is an administrative assistant in the front office. Hamilton managed a horse boarding facility for thirteen years before deciding to switch careers due to wanting to have more free time for her son. “This job is like we are the faces of the school, we greet people, answer phone calls, tend to students, and administration when needed” said Hamilton.
